Last updated at 20:10, Thursday, 19 May 2011

Have you ever wondered who the people are behind the huge success of the Maryport Blues Festival?

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The annual three-day event happens every July, as if by magic, and attracts blues fans from across the world to West Cumbria, pumping millions of pounds into the local economy.

It is down to the dedication and hard work of about 30 people, who start work almost immediately after the previous year’s event to bring the blues to Maryport.

Also responsible for the town’s Christmas festival, the committee is as diverse as any group of 30 people might be, and this is one of its strengths.

Tony Daly, of Cockermouth, is there because he loves blues music.

Tony says: “I don’t live in Maryport, although it is a great town and a great venue, and I am glad to help. But I got involved for the music.”

There are others who may know little about blues mu sic but who are deeply passionate about Maryport.

Among that group is Debra Park, the high-profile spokeswoman for the committee, who admits she prefers rock.

She says: “I learn to like the blues more each year but we are in this to help regenerate Maryport. That’s why the festival was set up.”

It is a huge responsibility for the organisers.

The festival still depends heavily on sponsorship; it is unable to stand alone because of the regeneration aspect of the festival.

Ticket prices are kept as low as possible because the aim is to draw as many people to Maryport as it can.

The festival also fights above its weight. How many towns the size of Maryport could offer legends such as Van Morrison, Booker T and Chuck Berry?

There have even been suggestions that the blues festival has become too big and should perhaps be taken over by professional organisers.

But that is not going to happen.

The festival belongs to Maryport and the organisers are determined that it will remain in local hands to benefit local people.

An important aspect of the event and a unique part of it is the blues trail in the town’s pubs and clubs.

While big-name acts in the main marquee at Netherhall Rugby Club this year will include Grammy Award winner Jonny Lang, the Fabulous Thunderbirds and Sandi Thom, the trail focuses on up-and-coming blues acts and local bands and gives festival-goers the chance to experience great music in an intimate atmosphere.

It ensures that local pubs benefit and that visitors wander around the town, increasing the chances of a spin-off for local businesses.

Committee members include Rob Logan, of Crosby, a musician, parish councillor and mobile telephone company employee.

Tony Saunders, of Maryport, is an unemployed chef and Ian Lambert, who books the acts, is a quality controller at Pentagon Chemicals in Workington.

Ian Greaney is self-employed, working in the nuclear decommissioning industry, Eric Weir works for a local furnishing company and Gary Routledge works for Walker’s in Cockermouth.

Then there is Yvonne Sadler, who can be depended on for endurance. She is a marathon runner who also works for a sports shop in Cockermouth.

There is a family feel, too. Dave Park is chairman of the group which includes his wife, Debra, and her sister, Lorna Wilson.

The organisation has a group of directors and then committee members who all have responsibility for the range of jobs that include ticket sales, organising the trail, the marquee, food, transport for artists, hospitality, security and more.

Some committee members, including publicity officer Eleanor Carr and trail organiser Sandra Walling, resigned from the committee last year.

Ian Lambert says: “They worked very hard and are a big miss. They really need to be thanked.”

The women resigned over disagreements in the committee, but that is probably not unexpected in a group who are so passionate about what they are doing.

In the end, the blues festival is a lot more than a person or a disagreement.

It has put Maryport on the map and, whether or not they agree with each other all of the time, the committee is united in its determination that it will be around for a lot of years to come.

l Tickets for this year’s festival, between July 29 and August 1, are on sale at the Times & Star office in Workington. Tickets for the marquee are: Friday £35; Saturday £55; Sunday £50; full weekend £105.

First published at 19:20, Thursday, 19 May 2011
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk